Address

Wirth Picnic Pavilion
3275 Glenwood Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55405

Get Directions

Customer Service

Phone: 612-230-6400
Emailpermits@minneapolisparks.org

Capacity

100 (seated)

Rental Availability

Open seasonally April 1 – October 31st:

  • 9 am – 3 pm
  • 4 pm – 10 pm
  • 9 am – 10 pm

Wirth Picnic Pavilion

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What is included in my rental?

View the following document for more information:

Features & Amenities

  • Air Conditioned
  • Catering Prep & Serving Area
  • Chairs
  • Exposed Beams
  • Multimedia Screen
  • Restroom Facility
  • Service Road
  • Screened Porch (2) with Picnic Tables
  • Tables
  • Vaulted Ceilings
  • Wood Burning Fireplace

Item Inventory

Included with rental:

  • 6 – 60” Banquet rounds
  • 9 – 48’’ Banquet rounds
  • 4 – 6’ banquet tables
  • 1 – 8’ banquet table
  • 3 – 30’’ High-top cocktail tables
  • 100 Folding chairs
  • 3 picnic tables (porch only)

Good to Know

Service road available for deliveries, drop-offs, shuttling and accessible parking

Theodore Wirth Pavilion

Does my booked time include set up and take down?

Yes, all set up and take down must be completed in the time booked.

The building will be opened at permit start time and closed promptly permit end time. We recommend booking the full day permit 9AM – 10PM if the half day (9AM-3PM or 4PM-10PM) does not allow enough time for set-up and clean-up. The last hour of the permit should be designated for clean-up and putting away any onsite tables and chairs used during the event. Check-out with the onsite attendant is 15min prior to the end of your permitted time period.

Is there a kitchen available?

No kitchen access, but there is a small catering prep room and a serving area. The serving area is equipped with electrical outlets.

Cooking and/or grilling of food is not allowed onsite at the building. Park grills located throughout the park or personal grill may be used 20 feet from the building. Home prepared or MPRB approved catered food and non-alcoholic beverage are acceptable at this location. There are several outlets that allow for plugging in crockpots/food warming devises.

Can I set up a tent/canopy?

No, there are no tents or canopies allowed for setup.

Can I have a tour/rehearsal?

Yes, indoor rehearsals are allowed during your permitted time. Outdoor ceremony park rehearsals are on your own on a first come basis.

Can I serve alcohol?

Yes, all alcohol must be contracted through a MPRB approved caterer. A Police Officer must be hired to be on-site during the time of serving alcohol. The park police officer is required on duty at the start of alcohol service through one hour after alcohol is served at all events serving alcohol.

The onsite park security officer rate is required with a 4 hour minimum, the park security fee along with the 12% catering surcharge on all consumed beverages will be paid directly to the MPRB approved caterer.

Can I serve food?

This venue allows for home prepared food. All other food services must be contracted through an MPRB approved caterer.

Are tables and chairs included?

Yes, supplies are based on fire code capacity. Additional rental items are on your own.

Banquet rounds seat 8 persons per table.  Permit holder is responsible for full set-up and take down of all onsite tables and chairs.

Do I have access to electricity?

Yes, only inside facility.

Is parking available?

Off-site street parking only – spaces not guaranteed. There is free parking at Wirth Lake Beach.

All guest parking is across Glenwood Ave at the Wirth Beach House lot, located down the hill and across the road from the Wirth Pavilion facility. There are 4 accessibility parking stalls at the top of the hill next to the venue for handicap parking with legally displayed hang tag only. The service road is non-passing and may be used for accessibility and unloading/drop off only.

Are dogs allowed?

Dogs are not allowed inside the facility (except for service dogs).

Can I decorate?

Yes. No balloons, tape, tack, mails or any items that may impact the facility. No flamed candles, electronic or LED candles only. No decorations are to be hung from or above the ceiling and fixtures. 

Can I change the date/time of my permit once approved?

Yes, if application has been approved and location booked, change in date and time is subject to additional fees.

Will I have a day of contact person?

Yes, there will be an onsite park keeper available to open and close the doors, an event attendant may be assigned to the building for the duration of your permit time. The onsite park keeper or event attendant is not an event coordinator.  All set-up and taken down of tables and chairs, cleaning, and taking out the trash is the responsibility of the permit holder.

What type of fees can I expect for a permit?

Fees vary depending on event: Facility Rental Fee, Service Fee, Ceremony Fee, Damage Deposit Fee, Police Office Fee, Administrative Fee (permit changes/modifications).

If application is approved, when is payment due?

Facility Rental Fee and Damage Deposit is required at time of application approval. If applicable, Ceremony and Police Officer Fee required sixty days (60) prior to event date.

Is there Wi-Fi?

No, there is no Wi-Fi at this location.

Are food trucks permitted at this location?

No, food trucks are not allowed at this location.

Can I have a ceremony?

Yes, additional fee(s) may be applied.

$125 for indoor wedding and $525 for outdoor park ceremony.

What is the cancellations/refund policy?

The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board has a “No Refunds Policy”.

Can I play music on-site?

Yes, music may be played inside the facility and must end at 9PM. Permit holder may hire a DJ or provide their own sound for music.

Does my rental include an on-site coordinator?

No, the permit holder is responsible for hiring their own onsite day of coordinator if applicable, this is highly recommended for events with a wedding ceremony and/or wedding reception. There may be an MPRB onsite event attendant assigned to provide general load in information, lock and unlock doors as needed, and will complete a venue walkthrough and final check- out with permit holder before the end of the permitted time period.

Are linens, decorations, dinnerware included?

No, the permit holder is responsible for providing all linens, décor, and accruements, as well as set-up and take down of these items during the permit time. We recommend selecting a caterer listed “Full Service” and inquire directly with the caterer for pricing and availability.

See our list of approved caterers.

Permit Application

You will need to apply for a permit to reserve this location for your indoor wedding, reception or other event. We accept applications up to 12 months in advance on a first paid, first served basis.

Permit Application Process

  1. Download and review the appropriate application: Receptions & Events Application [PDF]
  2. Complete and submit your permit application:
    Emailpermits@minneapolisparks.org
    Mail or In Person:
    Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
    Wedding Permits
    2117 West River Road N
    Minneapolis, MN 55411
    Fax: 612-314-8675
  3. If available, we will reserve the site for your preferred date and time
  4. We will contact you to discuss your application and to arrange payment
  5. Upon receipt of payment we will issue your permit

Rates

Half Day Permit: $300 plus tax
Full Day Permit: $600 plus tax
Damage Deposit fee: $500 plus tax

 


Other Permit Applications

Picnics: Reserve a picnic site for your upcoming birthday party, reunion, company picnic, or other special event. View picnic permit details. Permit Application [PDF]

Ceremonies are allowed when booked with a reception at this location.

Ceremony Setup Options

  • Chairs (included in rate)
  • Tables (included in rate)
    • 60″ for 8 Guests
    • 48″ for 6 Guests

Preferred Vendors

Other wedding extras are available to rent for an additional fee through our preferred party rental vendors.

Festivities

Phone: 763-682-4846 Email: audra@festivitiesmn.com Website: www.festivitiesmn.com

Apres

Contact: Karla Vitez Phone: 952-903-4241 Emailkvitez@apresparty.com Websitewww.apresparty.com

Linen Effects

Phone: 612-355-2500 Email: sales@lineneffects.com Website: www.lineneffects.com

Ultimate Events

Contact: Mike Whaley Phone: 763-559-8368 Email: info@ue-mn.com Website: www.ue-mn.com
 

 

Ceremony Guidelines

  • Ceremony Permits are required and issued for either three or six hours, including setup, rehearsal, photos, etc.
  • Ceremony Permits guarantee that no other ceremony or event is scheduled at the same time in the same location. A permit does not guarantee exclusive use of a park area for a private event. Other park visitors may still use the park, but are usually considerate of permit holders’ needs and move out of the immediate area. On-site event attendants assist.
  • Battery powered amplification systems are allowed only in specified areas (no electricity available). Amplification systems are limited to microphones, CDs and iPod/MP3 players. Permit holders must rent amplification equipment from one of our preferred vendors.
  • We only allow chairs in specified areas. Permit holders must rent chairs from one of our preferred vendors.
  • Flowers or any other vegetation may not be moved, cut or removed from any park in the Minneapolis Park System. (Park Board Ordinance 2.2).
  • Littering is not permitted. Rice, confetti or birdseed is not permitted. Any flower boxes or other rubbish must be disposed of properly by the permit holder. Frequently, there are numerous weddings scheduled consecutively at the same park area in one day. Clean up should not be left to the next group, neighborhood residents or the park keeper.
  • Tents or canopies are allowed only in specified areas, and require a six-hour permit. Permit holders must rent tents or canopies from one of our preferred vendors.
  • We allow held chuppahs or chuppahs that rest on the ground surface. We do not allow staking or pounding due to potential damage to underground security, electric and irrigation systems.
  • Alcohol is not permitted. Ceremonies which normally use wine must substitute with a non-alcoholic beverage.

The Wirth Pavilion, one of our historic treasures, has undergone a vast face lift. With the Fireplace Room (59′ x 27′), two screened porches and the main room, there is enough space for up to 100 guests, seated.

Setup Options

  • Chairs (included in rate)
  • Tables (included in rate)
    • 60″ for 8 Guests
    • 48″ for 6 Guests

Approved Caterers

Various menu options and event services available for an additional fee through our approved caterers.